{"id":12716,"date":"2025-12-02T02:16:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T08:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/?p=12716"},"modified":"2026-02-03T13:58:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T19:58:01","slug":"cheap-weekend-trips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/cheap-weekend-trips\/","title":{"rendered":"9 ways to save money on cheap weekend getaway trips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re ready for some time away to decompress (bring on the R&R), or you just need a change of scenery, don\u2019t miss the chance to save money on cheap weekend trips. Even though weekends can mean higher rates on hotels, flights, and travel packages, a little planning and extra digging for travel deals can get you on the road to a frugal adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love to travel and have grown up being on the go so much, so I love to change up my scenery and experience new places,\u201d says Quincy Davis, a professional surfer who travels frequently and is also the founder of a boutique shop with a store in Montauk, New York, as well as online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to travel on a budget, consider these smart ways to save on cheap weekend getaway trips any time of year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Snag last-minute reservations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Procrastination can actually pay off when it comes to cheap weekend trips. Waiting until the last minute to book a flight or vacation package usually<\/em> means fewer choices that could come with higher than average rates. But if you\u2019re on your A-game, you may be able to score a competitive price on your flight, hotel, or vacation package by taking advantage of last-minute deals, says Stephanie Nelson, founder of a website that provides saving tips and deals on everything from groceries to entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nelson suggests following airlines on social media and signing up for their email newsletters to find special offers and save money on cheap weekend trips. Plan B: Call the hotel or resort directly to see if they have any last-minute cancellations or available rooms they need to fill. Many hotels will offer a discounted rate just to keep their rooms booked for the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Take advantage of undercover and secret deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another way to save on cheap weekend getaway trips is to find undercover and secret deals on hotel websites and third-party sites. With this type of bargain, you often won\u2019t know the name of the hotel until you click to make your purchase. If you can tolerate a little mystery, you can be rewarded with a deep discount on your reservation, and these offers usually include stays at brand name hotels. With some providers, you can snag a deep discount and still choose your date, location, and star rating, and then you\u2019ll learn the hotel\u2019s name after booking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Extend your stay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By extending your cheap weekend trip, you may be able to take advantage of offers for a free night\u2019s stay. Many hotels and resorts offer complimentary nights when you book three to five nights in a row. This usually means flying back on a Monday or Tuesday, which could also mean lower flight prices. Extra nights can bring down the average daily cost of your trip and allow you to get more rest and relaxation as you travel on a budget. This can be an even more attractive strategy when flying long hauls cross-country or even internationally and adjusting to a new time zone.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\u201cIf travelers have flexibility in travel dates, some weekends are much slower than others as seasonality and convention traffic can deeply impact rates from one weekend to the next.”<\/p>\n